VCNO meets with PSNS & IMF senior leaders, tours shipyard facilities during his daylong visit

VCNO meets with PSNS & IMF senior leaders, tours shipyard facilities during his daylong visit

By Max Maxfield, PSNS & IMF Public Affairs

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby visited Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Washington, to discuss the importance of people, current readiness and potential infrastructure upgrades to the shipyard as part of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program, March 22.

Capt. JD Crinklaw, commander, PSNS & IMF, and senior leaders from throughout the command briefed Kilby on the current mission and discussed potential future challenges that could impact readiness. As the Navy's largest public shipyard and the only shipyard capable of servicing Nimitz-class carriers on the West Coast, PSNS & IMF plays a crucial role in fleet readiness.

Alongside the strategic value of PSNS & IMF, Kilby said people - both Sailors and civilian employees - are the Navy's most precious resource when it comes to readiness.

"The current and future security environment demands combat-ready ships, aircraft and submarines," Kilby said. "The workers and facilities at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and our other three public shipyards, are essential to ensuring our Navy platforms are ready to meet any challenge around the world. Because of the careful planning and hard work PSNS & IMF workers put into maintaining, repairing and modernizing these vessels, our Sailors and their vessels remain ready, resilient and lethal."

A gathering with Navy leaders from throughout the Puget Sound region gave Kilby insight into myriad topics affecting Sailors and civilians, ranging from increased efforts in Quality of Service initiatives to technical innovations and future capabilities.

Kilby's visit also included tours of Dry Docks 3, 5 and 6, to discuss recent seismic upgrades and planned improvements to infrastructure and equipment through SIOP. He also toured several shops for insight into how PSNS & IMF stays focused on the mission, while looking for ways to improve processes.

Crinklaw said the VCNO made it clear the Navy is focused on mission accomplishment today, while also working to ensure the Navy's public shipyards are ready for any upcoming challenges.

"The VCNO understands the impact SIOP has to the future of the Navy and the nation," Crinklaw said. "I was glad our mechanics had the chance to hear directly from him how much their hard work and willingness to solve problems contributes to our national defense."

SIOP is a holistic investment plan at the Navy's four public shipyards to meet nuclear fleet maintenance requirements and improve Navy maintenance capabilities by expanding shipyard capacity, optimizing shipyard configuration, creating resilient infrastructure, and modernize industrial plant equipment. Through SIOP upgrades, shipyards will be able to improve efficiency and reduce the amount of time vessels spend in availability.

Through the combined efforts of SIOP and the dedicated workforce of PSNS & IMF, the command is positioned to continue its legacy of excellence and support of the Navy's mission. Since 1891, the people of PSNS & IMF have devoted their skills, craftsmanship and expertise to meeting the needs of the Navy.

"The workforce here takes pride and ownership of their mission and what it means to our Sailors and the nation," Kilby said. "We can never stop improving. PSNS & IMF leaders and workers at all levels understand openness, transparency, problem-solving and continuous learning will forever be keys to success for our Navy."